“But He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”
2 Corinthians 12:9 (English Standard Version)
Hello world. For those who have followed me, glad to have you back! For those who are new, HEY! I’m Brittany Shawnté and I’m a writer/editor (read more about me here). This is a LONG post (and if you’re reading this on your phone, I especially apologize to you! RECAP is at the bottom!). But I have to explain some things. Clearly.
I’ve been away from writing on this site for A WHILE. In January 2022, I created a mission statement: to use my creativity and words to inspire and encourage others to confidently walk in the purposes that God gave them.
By the end of 2022, I realized I had fallen from that with the whole adulting/making money thing, and sought to realign myself to my purpose. In fact, that was my word for 2023: REALIGNMENT. I thought that meant focusing more on the original intent of Imperfectly B, which was to create motivating and inspiring content. However, God was slowly pulling me into aligning with sharing more about Him.
I’ve been a Christian for the majority of my 33 years of life (I just turned 33 YESTERDAY!). I’ve had my years of going through the motions, years of being “lukewarm” and on the outs with God (I’ll get into that one day). During the pandemic, I refocused on seriously building a stronger relationship with God outside of going to church, serving at different events, and inconsistent prayer/devotion. This year, I’ve been really intentional in refocusing my mind and heart on God with serious prayer and Bible Study, as well as building community with other Christians.
This year, God also pulled me to change Imperfectly B into a faith and lifestyle website. Yes, to write and talk about God. Because, if I’m honest, God is why I am where I am today.
Imperfectly B focused on inspirational posts and quotes, which I don’t believe is bad, and I had and still have the greatest of intentions to uplift people with my gift of writing. Part of the problem, though, is that it makes it seem like I (and y’all) have the ability to do it all on our own. I don’t believe that. Not really. I KNOW that God has had His hands on me throughout my life, and I have to remain true to that with my gift.
I grappled with this move for quite some time. Even a few years ago, I felt quiet pulls from the Holy Spirit to make this move. But I didn’t. I made excuses. I’m not qualified. I don’t know enough. I’m not a preacher or pastor (and STILL am NOT trying to be). I didn’t go to divinity school. I am not some perfect, holier-than-thou saint who has it all together. Like many, I’m just trying to do my best down here.
Shoot, I was really getting ready to pull a Jonah and run.
…until God called me out on it.
God brought up so many seemingly “unqualified” people in my mind: Moses, Esther, Rahab, Peter (the dude was one of Jesus’ own disciples…with a temper. Cut somebody’s ear off AND denied Him three times). And Jonah, in his disobedience when God told him to go to preach to the people of Nineveh, ran until God had him swallowed by a big fish to get him back on track (Jonah 1). I don’t want to be trapped in my own “fish,” my own moment of despair, just for God to get my attention. I’ve been there, done that (again, more stories will come). And who am I to believe in this great God, and then not believe that He can do great things through me?
I was also reminded of The Great Commission that Jesus gave to the disciples in Matthew 28:16-20.
16 Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. 17 And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. 18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Matthew 28:16-20
That’s also a call to us as believers – to bring more people into the Kingdom of God. And that’s really all that I’m trying to do with this site now. To hopefully bring someone new to Jesus and encourage other believers who are trying to serve Him with their lives.
Over recent years, I’ve come to hate strongly dislike the word “brand” and the phrase “Everything is content.” Instead, I’ll say this is a new MOVEMENT in my life. I’m praying that this will be service to God and not service to man or myself with a focus on views and likes.
I haven’t changed the name of the website because I’m still Imperfectly B. Just an imperfect girl trying to follow a perfect Savior.
The format of Imperfectly B will still follow much of what I did with the site originally but from a godly perspective. I’ll share my own mistakes and lessons I’m learning in my faith journey and “Godfirmations” with a Bible verse to remind readers of who we are in God, I’ll post Christian/gospel and even still inspirational Jams that I rock with, as well as powerful messages from other Christian influencers and preachers. I also want to continue to post positive stories and funny videos because I’m convinced that God likes to laugh too (just an opinion!).
I’ve still kept a few of my older blog posts that I feel still fit the overall direction of this site (over six years, I had published close to 700!!!). However, the majority of the content will change. I understand that I’ll lose some readers with this move, but I pray I gain others for God’s glory and not my own. I pray that others come to know Him and grow closer to Him as I continue to. That’s the most important thing.
I won’t be perfect in this new journey, obviously. My hope is that in sharing what I have learned or am learning with others, others can help me learn as well. Proverbs 27:17 proclaims: “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” So I’m hoping that we can build community here and grow in Christ TOGETHER.
Imperfectly,
TO RECAP:
- Imperfectly B is changing to focus on God, faith, and lifestyle.
- My faith has shaped my life and I want to share that as called by Jesus with the Great Commission (Matthew 28: 16-20)
- The site will share lessons of faith and encouragement, Christian/gospel /inspirational music and videos, Christian messages from other influencers and preachers, along with positive stories.
- I’m still imperfect but loved by a perfect Savior. Just trying to be obedient and do what He told me!
Imperfectly B 